sjl200 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I would like to get the Amulet MVT but I'm not very " handy" when it comes to taking a tool to a guitar ......even strap buttons scare me..... So has any one installed it themselves or taken it to a shop to let them install. I have checked at a couple of stores where I live -St. Louis area- none have experience with this Trance product some said they would do it some said no. I'm reluctant to get the Amulet if the install is a crap shoot .....thoughts or recommendations ........thanks... I want to replace a Baggs element that's in the Mystic RW J45 I just got and if it goes well then maybe replace the Aura in my Fullers Custom J45.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I think for the money you need for the amulet system it would be worth the extra few pennies to give it to a professional. Even if you were slightly handy . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 http://tranceaudio.com/manuals/TranceTemplateInstall.pdf I have both the stereo and mono systems. Stereo install was done by Woodsong Lutherie in Boulder, Colorado, the mono by Music Villa in Bozeman Montana. Both shops charged me the same install price as they do for a K&K install. In both instances, it was their first install of the trance hardware. Both installs turned out splendidly. With the new tape this is really not a giant challenge at all. I did have the experience of re-installing one of the amulets that had come loose - not sure why, other than it was a bit of a road trip, and perhaps was done a bit hastily - doesn't matter, was simple to re-install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichG Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I had one put in my AJ by Russo Music in NJ. They had done an AJ before and a D28 and since have done several more. I waited and watched them do it. Seemed straight forward enough but I think I'd pay for install if I'd do it again. The most critical part is getting the transducers in the correct spot on the bridge plate. They did this by trial and error by listening to how the guitar sounded through an amp BEFORE the final intallation. In other words everything was on the bench except the transducers and once we were satisfied with the sound the mixer box and controls were installed and the transducers installed with the "permanent" tape. Could I do it myself? Sure. But the piece of mind was worth it. I had experience with Russo before and was completely comfortable with them before we started. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjl200 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Thanks , I'm defenatly thinking that a shop should install it. .......its the adjusting phase that's got me wondering about the process since the shops I've asked have no amulet experience . Guess its all about asking questions and being there for the install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Hull Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Hi SJ! Only you can decide what your level of comfort is with the installation process, but it really is very easy to install the system yourself. If you follow the procedure on our site EXACTLY, not leaving out or glossing over any of the steps, you will be very happy with the results. If you look at the installation document that Dan linked to above, you'll see that every step is detailed complete with pictures and a very thorough explination. You're already assuming that you'll be needing to make adjustments, but this is typically not the case. The locations we show work for better than 90% of the guitars out there, and if you do want to make any string balance adjustments down the road, this is easily and quickly accomplished. And who better to do any adjustments than you, using the sound system that you plan to play it through? The template system we use makes it very easy to make precise and repeatable adjustments to the pickup placement, and you don't even have to be able to see inside the guitar to quickly and accurately place the pickup right where you want it. Remember, we use a special tape to secure the pickups, there are no messy or scary glues that you need to deal with, and no worries about something getting on the guitar finish. We provide a special clamp with each system to allow you to press the pickups securely to the bridgeplate inside the guitar, and enough of the temporary and permanent tape strips to do several complete installs. More is always available if the need arises. And, of course, we are always happy to answer any questions or concerns that you might have....just call or email us. Hope this helps! Cheers, Gary/Trance Audio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Hi SJ! Only you can decide what your level of comfort is with the installation process, but it really is very easy to install the system yourself. If you follow the procedure on our site EXACTLY, not leaving out or glossing over any of the steps, you will be very happy with the results. If you look at the installation document that Dan linked to above, you'll see that every step is detailed complete with pictures and a very thorough explination. You're already assuming that you'll be needing to make adjustments, but this is typically not the case. The locations we show work for better than 90% of the guitars out there, and if you do want to make any string balance adjustments down the road, this is easily and quickly accomplished. And who better to do any adjustments than you, using the sound system that you plan to play it through? The template system we use makes it very easy to make precise and repeatable adjustments to the pickup placement, and you don't even have to be able to see inside the guitar to quickly and accurately place the pickup right where you want it. Remember, we use a special tape to secure the pickups, there are no messy or scary glues that you need to deal with, and no worries about something getting on the guitar finish. We provide a special clamp with each system to allow you to press the pickups securely to the bridgeplate inside the guitar, and enough of the temporary and permanent tape strips to do several complete installs. More is always available if the need arises. And, of course, we are always happy to answer any questions or concerns that you might have....just call or email us. Hope this helps! Cheers, Gary/Trance Audio I have this on my Jackson Browne 'A'I'd be more likely to add it to some of my others if I didn't have to open up the pin hole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjl200 Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 Thanks Gary, I have read the install doc and it does look "easy" my concern is that I am replaceing an under saddle pu to install the Amulet.Should that be removed from under the saddle ? Or can it stay? never even looked under a saddle before so.....Lots of technical questions that Iam not sure about. Ike I said I had strap buttons installed !!! One guitar has a braggs element and the other the Aura pro on that particular instal Iam trying to use the existing batt which "loads" in the preamp in the upper bout cut out so if I can use that then a batt replacement is much more simple. it also gives the upper bout "hole" in the side a purpose....since the preamp will be disconnected I would have to wire in the batt leads to,the existing terminals of the batt holder which is attached to the preamp cradle using that instead of the batt bag glued to the block inside. Either way I am getting 2 amulets its just about who will install them at this point Thanks Gary ........ On a side note knowing trance in in Tampa, a personal question, I once knew a Gary Hull he was a pilot for Eastern .....could it be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Hull Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 You should remove any undersaddle pickups, and have a new saddle made that sets the action to the height you want without shims. Undersaddle transducers interfere with passing the vibration from the strings to the bridgeplate where the transducers are located. The more accurately and directly the vibration is transferred to your bridgeplate, the better your sound will be. I personally prefer the sound of a good bone saddle to synthetic materials like Tusq. For the guitar with the installed preamp, I think that you could have a tech add a standard wire battery clip to it that could plug onto our battery clip. Call us, and I'd be happy to talk with you about the particulars. I'm not a pilot, but I've always wanted to be one! We're actually located in California. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjl200 Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 Thanks again Gary for the install tips. I will hopefully find a good shop locally that can do the work. I will be calling in the next few days to order the Amulet for the 2 guitars I want to convert. Not sure where I got the idea Trance was in FL. My day job is pilot... Always wanted to be a guitar player....Life is funny like that. What a great resource this forum is!Thanks everyone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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